Wearable Tape Roll Support

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a tape roll support device attachable to a wearer&#39;s belt. The device comprises a belt connector element and an arcuate roll support member. The belt connector is an elongated strap or hoop adapted to accept a wearer&#39;s belt and secure the assembly thereto. The tape roll support member connects to the base of the belt connector and comprises a closed loop and compressible member having an open interior and a teardrop configuration. The member is compressed and fed through the open interior of a tape roll, whereafter the member is released to return to its original shape, supporting the roll along its length. Several tape rolls can be stacked in a horizontal and suspended configuration, whereafter each roll can be successively removed for deployment by the user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/568,725 filed on Dec. 9, 2011, entitled “Electrical Tape Holder.” The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to wearable supports and belt tool holders. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a tape roll holder and hanging support adapted to be suspended from a wearer's belt.

Workers and electricians regularly require electrical tape to secure spliced wires together and for secure other electrical assemblies while working. Deployment of electrical tape is widespread, as are holsters for supporting such articles. It is recognized that supporting tape by hand is not satisfactory, as the user generally needs to keep his or her hands free while working. Placing the roll of tape in one's pocket is further not convenient, was the user is required to release a work piece and search within the pocket for the tape, which may be difficult in a crouched or prone position. Placing the tape onto a work surface or open area can lead to misplacement or allow the tape to collect debris between uses. Finally, using belt supported dispensers often does not allow for the user to readily remove the entire roll from the support, but instead dispense and trim the tape from the user's waist. Work pieces that require longer lengths of tape or a wrapping operation are generally best accomplished with a free length of tape that is still attached to the roll, which is otherwise not provided by the elongated and trimmed section produced by most belt-supported devices.

The present invention provides a rolled tape support device, but does allow the roll to be readily removed from the support for its intended use. It is not supported for the purposes of dispensing a length of tape, but rather the present invention is designed to suspend one or a plurality of rolls of tape in a stacked configuration along the user's belt line. Each roll can be successively removed and utilized independently from the support and thereafter replaced when no used. The device includes a belt connector element and a downward hanging arcuate and compliant member that flare outward to support each roll in a horizontal orientation and prevent the rolls from falling. The member compressed through each roll open interior, after which the member expands to support the roll or rolls in a static configuration, ready for use.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to rolled tape support devices. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications, and generally relate to tape dispensers and trimmers that connect to a wearer's belt. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,455 to Green discloses a tape roller carrier device that attaches to apparel worn by the user. The device comprises a backing plate, a tape roll support structure and an apparel engagement means along the backside of the backing plate. A basket extends from the backing plate to form the tape role support structure, whereby the tape is engaged through its open interior roll and the roll is free to rotate on its attachment. The tape is supported in a vertical orientation, while the support structure is sufficient rigid to support the tape in a stable configuration while the device is being worn and tape is being withdrawn. The present invention, by contracts, provides a much simpler and flexible support device that carries one or a plurality of tape rolls. The rollers are supported in a horizontal configuration using a compressible stay element that enters each roll interior and supports the roll from below.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,695 to Willoughby discloses a similar structure as that of Green, wherein a belt-mountable tape dispenser is provided for single-handedly dispensing and trimming a length of tape from a tape roll while the roll is attached to the wearer's belt. The frame comprises a formable material to match the contour of the wearer, where the frame clips to a wearer's belt. A downwards strut rotatably supports a roll of tape in a vertical direction, while a cutter assembly forward of the strut provides a means of trimming a desired length of tape during deployment of the tape. The cutter assembly is adaptable for either left-handed or right-handed use. The Willoughby device includes a frame structure similar to Green, while the present invention alternatively contemplates a simpler structure for supporting a single or stack of tape rolls in a horizontal configuration.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,088,276 to Littleton discloses a wearable tape holder and dispenser that comprises a cylindrical housing having an internal spindle for supporting a roll of tape. The housing includes a slot to position the free end of the tape through, while a sliding tape lock prevents the tape from pulling back into the housing. Along the underside of the housing is an elongated slot to advance the roll manually and without pulling the free end of the tape, while the backside of the housing includes a belt connector element. Finally, an outer wall aperture provides a means to visualize the remaining quantity of tape by way of viewing the remaining radius of the tap roll. The Littleton device provides a structure that houses tape rolls and dispenses it therefrom. The present invention provides a retainer element for supporting a freely hanging role of tape that is readily removable therefrom. It is not desired to provide a device that dispense from the wearer's hip.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,105,149 to Stewart discloses another such device that supports a roll of tape in a vertical orientation and provides for single-handed deployment and trimming. The device comprises a body structure having an outward cylinder adapted to hold a roll of tape. A locking tab is placed through opposing apertures in the cylinder towards its outer edge, wherein a roll of tap bears against the tab to keep the roll on the cylinder during operation. Along the base of the body section is a cutting element for trimming a length of desired tape, while on the backside of the body structure is a belt loop for securing the assembly to a wearer's belt. Similar to the aforementioned devices, the Stewart device provides a waist-mounted dispensing device for tape. The present invention does not contemplate dispensing, but rather the storage and securement of tape on a wearer's person.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 2,470,250 to Kienle discloses an electrical tape holder having a main frame plate connected to a strap, a stub shaft connected to the plate for supporting rolls of electrical tape. A cutting means is provided to trim lengths of tape from the roll, while a spring biased guard extends over the cutting means to prevent injury. The guard further acts as a means to support the free end of the tape extended away from the roll. Several rolls are head in a vertical position, each having their own cutting implement and being supported by a common shaft. The present invention by contrast provides a means to support rolls in a horizontal orientation such that the rolls can easily be removed from the belt and handled by the wearer, as opposed to being secured to the wearer and deployed therefrom.

The present invention provides a tape roll support device that is adapted to secure rolls of tape along a wearer's belt and provide a ready means of deploying the entire roll upon request from the user. Direct dispensing of the tape is not desired, but rather a means to support the rolls in a stowed position while the wearer engages a work piece is provided. It is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing tape roll support devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of wearable tape roll support devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new tape roll support device that can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when supporting a plurality of tape rolls on the wearer's belt for ready deployment and detachment of the roll from the support device.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved wearable tape roll support device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a wearable tape roll support device that comprises a rapid method of securing and releasing a tape roll from a wearer's waist during a work activity.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wearable tape roll support device that supports a plurality of tape rolls in a horizontal configuration, where the rolls are removable from the support for use in the work activity.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wearable tape roll support device that is simple construction, and one that is readily manufacturable.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the present tape roll support device.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the present tape roll support device in a working position supporting a plurality of tape rolls.

FIG. 3 shows a view illustrating removal of a tape roll from the present tape roll support device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the wearable tape roll support device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for support one or more tape rolls in a horizontal configuration on a wearer's belt for ready removal during a work activity. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the wearable tape roll support device of the present invention. The device comprises a belt connector element 12 supporting a suspended tape roll support member 11 therebelow. The belt connector element 12 is an elongated strap of material forming a loop through which a wearer's pants belt may be positioned for support of the assembly during use. The element 12 is a closed loop of material or a length that is securable at its ends 16 to form a disconnectable loop for improved attachment around and removal from a pants belt without requiring a free end of the belt to be fed through the loop interior. At the base of the connector element 12 is a snap 15 for connecting the strap ends together and further for securing the tape roll support member to the belt loop connector element 11 to prevent separation. If the belt connector element 12 is a permanently closed loop, the snap 15 may be replaced by a rivet connector that secures the ends of the loop and the tape roll support member 11 together.

The tape roll support member 11 comprises a closed loop element having a collapsed upper region 17 and a broad lower region 13 defining a tear drop shape. The ends of the member 11 secure together in connection with the belt loop connector element 12 to prevent the closed loop from opening. The member is an elastic material that permits the lower region 13 to be compressed together when fed through the open interior of a tape roll, whereafter the lower region 13 returns to its original shape after being released and uncompressed. In this way, the tape is secured along the upper region 17 of the support member, which tapers outward moving downward to support a tape roll in a static configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a view of the present invention in a working state supporting a plurality of tape rolls 21 along its tape roll support member upper region. In this view, the tape support member 11 is expanded along its lower region to support the rolls 21 together and in a horizontal configuration. The biased nature of the member material makes it assume its expanded position when uncompressed by the user or when not being fed through the smaller diameter interior of the tape rolls. To release the rolls, a user compresses the member 11 together with his or her thumb and forefinger, reducing its width to permit the tape roll or rolls to slide over the minimized end of the member 11. After the member 11 is released, it assumes its original, tear drop position. The upper portion of the assembly is attached to a user's belt using the belt connector element 12, providing a means to secure several tape rolls in this configuration during a work activity or while handling a work piece.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown view of the present invention in a working position being manipulated by a wearer for withdrawing a tape roll 21 from the support element 11. To remove a tape roll 21, the user can compress the support element 11 to allow the roll 21 to slide thereover, or the user can grasp the roll 21 and forcibly slide it over the element 11. In this option, the interior diameter of the roll will compress the element 11 as it slides, compressing it together to form against the interior tape roll. Sufficient sliding force is required to compress the member, as the friction between the member and the roll will work to retain the tape roll unless affirmatively removed by the user. The element itself is comprised of a compressible yet elastic material, such as a metallic, elastomeric or polymer material.

Many individuals require access to electrical tape while working while also manipulating or supporting a work piece with their free hands. It is burdensome to hold onto a roll of electrical tape while working, while placement of the tape roll near the work area may lead to misplacement or tape that is out of reach when required. Without instant access when needed, efficiency is compromised. The present invention is a device used to secure rolls of tape on a wearer's work belt to allow for easy access while working. The compressible, tear drop shaped support member is constructed a suitable material that permits ready inward displacement and elasticity to return to its original form. The device attaches to a utility or knife belt via a loop strap, supporting one or a plurality of tape rolls in a horizontal configuration that allows ready removal and replacement.

It is submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A wearable tape roll support device, comprising: a belt connector element connecting to a roll support member; said roll support member comprising a closed loop, elastic material that is adapted to be compressed together and fed through a tape roll interior, and thereafter return to its original configuration and support said tape roll.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said roll support member further comprises a tear drop shape having a collapsed upper region and a broad lower region, said broad lower region being compressed and returned to its shape after feeding through a tape roll, while said tape roll is supported along said upper region support by said broad lower region.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said belt connector element further comprises an elongated strap length forming a closed loop to accept a belt end therethrough.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said belt connector element further comprises an elongated strap length having a first and second end that form an disconnectable closed loop to form over a belt or accept a belt end therethrough.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein said first and second strap length end is connectable using a snap element. 